Monthly Archives: September 2014

Keeping your home secure is of the utmost importance. It’s your largest asset, it keeps your family warm and safe, and it holds pretty much everything you own. Why risk letting burglars into your home with shoddy locks, when you can have one of our residential locksmiths help you find the best locks for your home?

Here are some tips for choosing the best locks for your house, and a few videos, to help you figure out what type of locks might be right for you.

Do Your Homework

Any lock that you buy should meet minimum standards set by the American National Standards Institute and by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BAMA). While that may be a lot to remember, determining the quality of a lock is pretty easy.

Each lock should be graded on the package. Products will be labelled Grade One, Grade Two or Grade Three, with One being the best quality. The actual grading goes into more detail on the BAMA website, so go there to see how your favorite lock stacks up next to its competitors.

Assess Your Needs

Do you live in a high crime area? Do you have children you need to prevent from leaving the house by themselves? Maybe you need a smartlock so that you can let people in your home when you aren’t there, such as the dog walker or cleaner?

Just be sure that the lock you choose can be safely operated by everyone who needs to use it. It’s no good installing super strong locks that are difficult to open from the inside. In fact, if there were ever to be a fire in your home, you’d want to know that the lock would be easy to operate under those conditions.

Types of locks

There are several basic types of locks, some of which are harder to pick than others. If you live in a high crime area, you want one or more sturdy locks that will make it more difficult for thieves to get into your home.

Spring latch and slip bolt locks are the easiest to open using something other than a key. They lock the doorknob in place, preventing the latch from moving from the door frame. They are easy to install and inexpensive, but also easy to pick and break.

Deadbolts are sturdier locks that actually bolt the door closed. The entire bolt must be moved from the door frame by turning a knob or using a key, making it more difficult to pick. Look for deadbolts made from steel, bronze or brass as they are the sturdiest materials for this type of lock.

No matter what type of lock you have, remember to use it. A great lock will only act as a deterrent if you remember to lock the door behind you. And, don’t worry if you happen to lock yourself out of the house. We’ll be happy to come let you back in again, any time day or night, regardless of what type of lock you have.